Hestherightstuff surprises with wire-to-wire triumph

Hestherightstuff (American Ideal) has had a feast or famine month of August at Saratoga Casino Hotel. The Gary Levine-trained harness racing pacer won the Open on August 3rd to kick off his month before encountered an equipment break and subsequently going off stride in his following start.

Hestherightstuff headed into Saturday’s start in the $15,000 Open Pace coming off another break but drew post two for his try in the feature. Billy Dobson picked up the catch-drive for Levine and found some early speed from the seven-year-old pacer who very rarely plays the role of leaver.

The 8-5 second choice in the wagering on Saturday, Hestherightstuff traveled unopposed in first-half fractions of :27 and :56 seconds and never suffered an anxious moment in completing a coast-to-coast score in an impressive 1:51.4. Pickup Man Hanover (Wally Hennessey) sat the pocket to the two-time 2024 Open Pace winner and wound up as the runner-up while Talking Tom (Chris Long) hit the board for the third consecutive week in the feature by earning the show spot.

Hestherightstuff, who is owned by his trainer Gary Levine, reported home a decisive three-length winner on Saturday night and paid $5.30 to win. The exacta and triple in the feature returned $13.20 and $60.50, respectively.

HESTHERIGHTSTUFF REPLAY

Live racing resumes on Thursday evening at Saratoga with a first post time set for 5:00 pm.

For complete race results, click here: US Trotting results.

by Mike Sardella, for Saratoga Raceway